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Subaru Legacy/Outback: MPG-Real World Numbers

130 messages,  Last post on May 04, 2012 at 4:49 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Outback, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 13

#1 of 130 Subaru Legacy/Outback: MPG-Real World Numbers by PFFlyer@Edmunds HOST

Jun 12, 2006 (6:07 pm)

With the price of gas being what it is, your real world mileage is becoming more important than the estimates on the sticker. This is the place to talk about your real world on the road results!

#2 of 130 OK, I'll bite..... by fibber2

Jun 13, 2006 (6:34 am)

2002 Outback, base model with H4 & 4 spd automatic, 40,200 miles. OEM Bridgestone RE-92 tires.
 
Rural/Suburban driving: a daily mix of hilly backroads, a bit of highway, and some stop-sign & traffic light in-town travel.
 
Driving style: slightly leadfoot
 
Recently changed to 5w-30 Mobil 1, on Mid-Hudson NY 'Summer' reformulated gas (10% ethanol, 87 octane). Last few fillups slightly topped 24 mpg.
 
Wintertime / early Spring driving with snow tires ran around the 21-22 mpg range.
 
Steve

#3 of 130 Re: Subaru Legacy/Outback: MPG-Real World Numbers [pf_flyer] by mountnman4u

Jun 15, 2006 (8:58 pm)

Replying to: PFFlyer@Edmunds (Jun 12, 2006 6:07 pm)
I have a 2005 Legacy 2.5GT Limited wagon 5 speed manual. I confess, although I bought the car because of what's under the hood, I drive like an old woman in order to get the best fuel economy. Although on occassion I will call upon the rocket power of this fine turbo engine, I'm usually very, very light footed with the accelerator. However, I don't corner like an old lady, and I do take advantage of my powerplant's torque in some aggressive cornering.
 
I drive mostly country/rural driving and interstate highway (I live in the Northern Catskills/Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York). I rarely exceed 65 MPH on the interstate in an effort to increase fuel economy. On long downhill sections of roadways, I often shift into neutral to lessen the engine speed and gas consumption.
 
My old lady habits pay off with good fuel economy. My vehicle is EPA rated 19 MPG city/25 MPG highway. I tend to average 25-26.5 MPG with 90% rural/country/highway driving. The remaining 10% of mileage per tank is often stop-and-go traffic in suburban New Jersey and driving in evening rush hour traffic in Manhattan/NYC. If my driving excludes NJ/NYC rush hours and is completely rural driving, I can get 26-27 MPG. On long highway stretches of non-stop driving using cruise control, I can usually get 28-29 MPG, once even 30 MPG, as long as I don't exceed 65 MPH. All of these figures are mathematically calculated. I find the car's computer is usually overly optimistic by 0.8-1.5 MPG.
 
My car, in non-winter months, is equipped with Pirelli PZero Nero M+S tires which I usually have pumped up 2-3 PSI above what Subaru recommends, which for my car is 35 PSI front and 33 PSI rear. These tires have a fairly high rolling resistance, especially in comparison to the OEM Potenza RE92 tires (but they handle so much better!). I normally travel alone in the car without any passengers with the exception of my dogs. My winter fuel economy tends to be lower, attributable to the use of winter tires, winter fuel composition, and colder operating temperatures.
 
I fuel my car with 93 octane fuel mostly, but when 91 octane is available (most Sunoco stations) I will often purchase that if it saves me a couple of cents per gallon (my turbo engine requires 91+ octane).

#4 of 130 Re: Subaru Legacy/Outback: MPG-Real World Numbers [mountnman4u] by occking

Jun 22, 2006 (10:30 am)

Replying to: mountnman4u (Jun 15, 2006 8:58 pm)
I have 2.5 ltd 2005 outback with basic 4 cylinder, AT. Now have almost 48k on the vehicle, slightly less than 18 month.
 
Mostly highway driving -- go from Prov, RI area to Montreal every few weeks. At the beginning was averaging perhaps 26 - 27 on these trips, but then beginning last November gas mileage dropped by a few miles per gallon, and remained lower until just a month or so ago. Was it the winter fuel they use here in New England, or because I got new tires last November (Goodyear Triple Treads)?
 
My gas consumption figures are fairly accurate as they are based on actual usage. The trip computer, as it is in most cars I have owned, overly "optomistic" on gas consumption. I would estimate that it is almost always higher than actual by 1.5 to 2 mpg.
 
My driving habits are quite conservative. On long trips rarely over 75 mpg, usually more like 70 on the turnpike. If I do little long distance travel for a few weeks & mostly short stuff, actual mileage more like 22 - 23. Can't complain for a AWD vehicle.

#5 of 130 real world gas mileage/ 0% financing by kbourdeau

Jun 25, 2006 (1:54 pm)

I have a brand new 2006 Outback that hasn't even cracked 2k miles yet, but I am pleased to say that so far I've gotten nearly 30mpg on a 300 mile trip and around 22-23 around town (lots of errands included). Hopefully, I will do even better with a few more miles on the engine. I decided on the 4 cylinder because I didn't want to have to buy premium gas and I am a bit of a tree-hugger and didn't feel enviromentally correct buying the turbo or the 6 cyl. I have always owned at least a 3liter V6, but found the 4cyl. to be quite peppy and perfectly adequate for my needs. The only drawback to the Subaru experience thus far is the fact that if I had only waited about 10 days to purchase the vehicle, I could have had 0% financing. I haven't even made my first payment yet! Is there a way I can get in on the 0% deal or am I just s--- out of luck?

#6 of 130 Re: real world gas mileage/ 0% financing [kbourdeau] by ateixeira

Jun 26, 2006 (11:00 am)

Replying to: kbourdeau (Jun 25, 2006 1:54 pm)
It's probably not worth re-doing all the paperwork. Isn't the financing in lieu of rebates and discounts? I bet it's not a significant difference.
 
Enjoy the vehicle and congrats.
 
-juice

#7 of 130 Re: real world gas mileage/ 0% financing [ateixeira] by kbourdeau

Jun 28, 2006 (7:42 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 26, 2006 11:00 am)
According to the Subaru commercial, the deal includes the rebate and the financing, but the financing is probably only for two years. I do love my Outback, though. Thanks for your reply, Juice!

#8 of 130 Re: real world gas mileage/ 0% financing [kbourdeau] by occking

Jun 30, 2006 (6:19 pm)

Replying to: kbourdeau (Jun 25, 2006 1:54 pm)
Just got back from two day trip, Prov RI area to Montreal.Approx 800 miles, gas mileage per computer 27.9. Actual gas mileage based on starting full tank (I fill it to the brim) and filling when I return so I know it is accurate) was 26.7 mpg. The computer is almost always higher than actual, usually by 1.5 to 2 mpg.
 
I sure wish I could get better mileage as I made a big sacrafice getting the 168 hp 6. My driving habits are quite conservative, but on the highway, run around 70. Suppose if I dropped it down to 60 or 65 mpg would improve a bit.

#9 of 130 Re: real world gas mileage/ 0% financing [occking] by rceggl

Jul 01, 2006 (11:37 am)

Replying to: occking (Jun 30, 2006 6:19 pm)
Is this the H-6? What fuel do you use?

#10 of 130 Re: real world gas mileage/ 0% financing [rceggl] by occking

Jul 04, 2006 (7:00 pm)

Replying to: rceggl (Jul 01, 2006 11:37 am)
No, just the little 4 banger!

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